What is Person Centred Planning
At the core, it is about recognising that every person is unique, with their own strengths, gifts, capabilities and personal values that drives a personal vision.
It intends to best understand the person and what is needed to enable them to lead their best life, reflective of who they are, what is important to them, what works and doesn’t work and where and with who in community is best placed to support the personal vision of each person.
With a deep understanding of a person’s personal vision future supports are then directed in a personal way that connects the person to the right people and places and with the right intention.
Element for a good Person-Centred Planning Meeting
The key element of any good Person-Centred Plan is in the participation.
It requires participation of the person’s choosing of people who knows and likes the person well. The participants should be from a cross section of areas in which they have relationship with the person and can bring a myriad of experiences and values about who the person is. This can include:
- Immediate family including parents and siblings
- Distant family including aunts and cousins
- Family friends including friends of siblings
- Neighbours
- Church members
- Social group members
- Community group members
- Sporting group members
- Support staff
The list can go on and can be as many as the person feels is appropriate, but the key element is that they believe in the person, like and knows the person.
Each participant brings a personal perspective and knowledge to share which sparks deep thinking and conversations around what may be possible.
To enable this depth to occur a minimum of 3 participants is preferrable.
What to expect during the Person-Centred Planning process
Preparation Stage
Preparation for a Person-Centred plan is important and is done in consultation with the person.
It highlights the intention of the Person-Centred plan, is it whole of life or area specific for example around employment.
It also confirms the practicalities such as who should participate and the best place for the meeting to occur. The priority being where would the person be the most comfortable and at their best.
Meeting Stage
The participants and the person will be supported by a planning facilitator and a scribe who will engage all in a deep conversation around the person, identifying their skills, capabilities and gifts, what works – doesn’t work, possible futures, ideas and resources needed and steps forward.
The process is completely strength based and runs for approximately 1.5 hour in total.
Post Meeting Stage
Following the meeting all the information gathered about the person will be collated into a Person-Centred Planning document for the persons approval.
The person will then have the option to pursue the plan independently or ask support in the implementation of the plan.
Cost of the Person-centred Planning Process
The total cost of the person-centred planning process is $700 and can be funded by NDIS plans. The cost is inclusive of all:
- Pre-meeting preparations and negotiations with the person and his/her family
- Two facilitators at the planning meeting – one person to facilitate the meeting and conversations and the other to scribe all that is discussed.
- Finalised Person-centred plan, including next steps etc.